Ask-A-Linguist Message Details

Subject:

rather than

Question:

Hello. I'm an English teacher in Iran.
I found the following sentence in the novel ''Madame Bovary.''
''In the market-place she met Lestiboudois on his way back. Rather than cut his day short, he chose to break off from his work and resume afterwards, thus ringing the Angelus to suit his own convenience.”
Here is the question: In the sentence above, ''rather than'' means ''instead of'' , right? But, why the verb '' cut'' does not have '' ing'' ? I think the sentence should be ''''In the market-place she met Lestiboudois on his way back. Rather than CUTTING his day short, he chose to break off from his work and resume afterwards, thus ringing the Angelus to suit his own convenience.”
What do you think? Do you agree with me?
Please explain your reasons. I look forward to hearing from you.
Best wishes